There's a very good chance you've seen a motorcycle rider wearing a pair of jeans, and at some point you've probably questioned whether it was a good idea, after all aren't a typical pair of jeans meant to be useless in a crash? Over a decade ago that'd definitely be the case, but hopefully nowadays any rider you see with a pair of jeans on is wearing a pair that is more than meets the eye.
Aramid fibre (including kevlar) jeans are what we're on about here - a pair of jeans that looks like a typical denim garment on the outside but has a range of innovations to make them completely suitable to riding a motorcycle. Draggin' Jeans were some of the first proponents of these jeans, with kevlar linings on knees and bums - they worked well but you could see the stitching and the fit was not what you'd expect from an expensive pair of jeans. Walk forward a few years and many manufacturers have got in on the act, while Draggin' have upped their game. Nowadays it's very easy to find a pair of jeans that is fully lined with kevlar or another aramid fibre that looks like a proper, well-fitting pair of jeans. Improvements in armour means that it's thinner than ever, further contributing to that subtle look that's become so popular.
You've got a wide range to choose from! Draggin' Jeans are still going strong, but they have some seriously strong competition now. Dainese, Spidi, Alpinestars, Richa, RST, Lindstrands, Rokker, amongst others have all started making aramid fibre jeans with varying features and price points - but which one would work best for you?
Dainese have gone all out in their selection of jeans, and rightly so - there's a big market for them. One of our favourite things about the brand is their effort in making decent womens gear, and there's no change here. Of the 8 pairs on our website, 3 of those are made for the female rider, so you've got a good chance of finding a pair of Dainese jeans no matter what gender you are. Starting at the mid £100s mark and moving into the low £200s they compare well with a solid textile or leather trouser, and their protection is going to rival them too. Sure you wouldn't take them to the track (it simply isn't allowed anyway!) but you'll find they're plenty on the road. Inclusion of aramid fibre lining on key impact points (knees, bum, hips), knee armour included with all of them, and hip armour an option on most (included on the Charger) you have jeans that'll take a beating, with fit that'll compare nicely with a normal pair of jeans.
A key issue you'll get with most of these jeans is that they're not waterproof - it used to be you had three options when it was raining: 1. Get wet, 2. Don't ride, or 3. Pack waterproofs. None of these are convenient - you're wearing jeans because they're meant to be the most convenient after all, so you're most likely to wear them. In walks Rokker with their complete solution to this problem - the Revolution waterproof jean. They're the most expensive pair of jeans we stock, but bear with us and you'll see why. A solid, premium brand's pair will set you back around £200, but you'll need either waterproof overs or an entirely new pair of trousers for wet weather. Not so with the Revolution - they offer full waterproofing, windproofing, full-length abrasion protection from Dynatec (similar to aramid) weaved into the denim itself and D3O armour on the hips and knees. This is a pair of jeans that full holds its own against a leather or textile set of trousers, but with a look they can never ape. For £349.99 this a pair of trousers that will see you through everyday riding throughout the year, but will look good and be comfortable on and off the bike. Rokker also do a pair that forgoes the full waterproofing but remains water repellent, the Original Stonewashed - these keep the full length Dynatec weave, armour and windproofing. At £269.99 they might suit you better for riding when there's a chance of a bit of rain, or if you're taking waterproof overs with you for when it tips down. Rokker jeans also come in a very nice wooden box with a free t-shirt - a nice touch for a premium product.
RST have made their name by making extremely solid gear with proven methods while keeping the price down, and it's no different when it comes to jeans. Their most costly pair is £149.99 and their cheapest is £89.99. Looking at the most dear, the Tech Pro CE includes Cordura denim throughout, along with aramid fibre reinforcement in key impact areas. The inclusion of Level 2 knee and hip armour means you have a pair of jeans that will take care of you in the event of an off. Sure, it doesn't have the fancy-pants waterproofing of the Rokker Revolution, and some seams are visible for the armour/lining, but it's very hard to argue with such a feature set at £149.99. Other RST jeans include the same aramid fibre lining, but forgo including armour (although there are pockets to add it yourself).
Mentioned at the start, this is a burgeoning market with the majority of manufacturers getting in on the act. As with all gear it's important you go for gear from a known and well-trusted brand, but with aramid fibre jeans it becomes even more important. It's easy for an unknown manufacturer to throw together some thick denim and an abrasion resistant lining, however it's not easy to design it properly. Stitching is absolutely key in the integrity in the event of a crash and this is why you pay a premium for a solid pair - a burst seam is a guaranteed route to road rash, or worse. Don't be tempted by riding in a pair of high street, fashionable jeans either, no matter how solid they may seem - the abrasion protection will vanish in moments and leave you sliding along with only your skin for protection, and that's before you even consider impact protection! Bike Stop only stocks gear from reputable, well-known and reliable motorcycle gear manufacturers so you can trust what you buy from us will protect you in a crash.
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